California gun store owner refuses to give ATF his customer list

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KSWB) — The owner of an Oceanside store that sells various gun parts to build a rifle from scratch refused to turn over his customer list when he was raided by federal agents Wednesday.

Dimitrios Karras, owner of Ares Armor, said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents were investigating their business, not for what they sell, but for the people who purchase their products.

Karras said the ATF threatened to shutter their business if they didn’t hand over the names of 5,000 customers who have purchased an 80 percent lower receiver (the base) for building an AR-15.

It is legal to build a rifle from scratch without serial numbers only if the base is manufactured to ATF specifications. The base is not considered a firearm if it’s sold separately.

A manufacturer made an 80 percent receiver in plastic with a different material and colors which show exactly where the customer can drill making it easier and cheaper to build. The ATF said it is illegal.

The ATF sent stores, including Ares Armor, letters demanding they turn over the products and names of customers who purchased them.

“They said either give us these 5000 names or we are coming in and taking pretty much anything – which is a huge privacy concern and something we are not willing to do,” said Karras.

Karras’s attorney informed the ATF to pick up the receivers Wednesday morning at their Oceanside location, but the inventory was not the issue. The store owner said he will not comply with turning over their private client list.

“They were going to search all of our facilities and confiscate our computer and pretty much shut our business down,” said Karras. “The government invades our privacy on a daily basis and everyone thinks its ok. This is one of those situations where hopefully the governmental institutions will come in say this is protected and no you’re not taking it from them.”

In anticipation of a raid, they filed a temporary restraining order against the ATF, stopping them from confiscating their property, Karras said. The ATF has a certain amount of time to respond. If the two parties do not reach a compromise, they will be in court for a preliminary hearing March 20.

Ernest Lane

Jon

Joe sounds like a demacrate trying to take our guns, we will just raid your bussiness if you dont cooperate what we say, does that sound morally correct, i dont think so. Thats what our goverment has came to

Joe

Jon: I can tell from your writing that you are not well educated and will take that into consideration when I weigh the merits of you comments. As for the government raiding your business, isn’t that what the people expect them and the police to do when you don’t abide by the law? Besides, the government could be looking for someone using those parts illegally and what kind of American would not want to help? I think he is a redneck jerk and Jon, you just need to get yourself better educated.

Wayne

I can’t believe there are people like you who are totally blind and clueless left in America. You believe everything they spoon feed you. It’s sad, probably have an Obama sticker and I love Obamacare sticker on you’re car too. Getting ready to put a Hillary sticker on shortly too.

The Tax Man

Joe: and what part of “shall not be infringed” do they not understand? The government should have NO authority with private ownership of guns by law abiding citizens and shall make NO laws restricting the unfettered ownership and use by law abiding citizens. You should be able to build any gun you want so long as the intent is lawful use.

kctruth

Our contributors like Joe and Peter are frogs in a pot of hot water. As the pot approaches a boil, all they feel is the warm embrace of a “benign” government that’s taking more control of our lives and freedom and growing out of control. Delicious frog’s legs will be ready soon, boys!

BJ Holt

The parts…the 80% receiver for the ar-15 is not illegal. They just don’t like that a manufacturer has made it easier to build the finished rifle from scratch and not be traceable…Eff the ATF. Good for this shop owner. I hope he prevails.

guess who

Paul

Joe and Peter are both trolls, just ignore them. The second amendment says what it says and that’s that. I think that if you wanted to have an F-16 with all the guns and bomb attachments and you can afford it, then you should be able to own it. The purpose is to keep our government in check and you need the same weapons as they have with exception of nuclear, which are for use outside of our country. Our government should be in constant fear of violating the constitution!

spinuzzi

This goes beyond the 2nd Amendment. It goes back to the source of our law: God’s Law. Self defense is a right given by God, as Yeshua reiterated on the Mount just before His arrest, when He told His disciples to be armed for protection (against evil-doers). God’s Law is always above man’s law, so even if there was no 2nd Amendment, we have the right to own/keep/bear arms. “In this world you will have trouble.”

Varieties that are self fertile make great choices for a greenhouse.
The first thing to do is make sure you choose a pot that is at least 12 inches across
at the top. If one teaspoon is suggested, double
is not better.